Liquid-measuring pump



Jan. 28', 1930. R. PORTE LIQUID MEASURING PUMP Filed Dec. 28, 21.927

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2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor V i I GD G J Jan. 28, 1930. R. FORTE 1,745,229

LIQUID MEASURING PUMP Filed Dec. 28, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan.28, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RENE PORTE, OF LEVALLOIS PER-BET,FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO SOCIE'IE ANONYME POUR TOUS APPARE-ILLAGESMECANIQUES, OF LEVALLOIS FERRET, FRANCE LIQUIDMIEASURING PUMPApplication filed December 28, 1927, Serial No. 243,173, and in BelgiumJanuary 14, 1927.

The present invention relates to liquid measuring pumps and, moreparticularly, to those of the type designed to be used for volatileliquids like gasoline.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide means for filling thepump chambers and the teed and discharge conduits connected theretobefore the pump begins to discharge.

Another object is to provide a clutch automatically operable to actuatethe pump by the filling ot the pump chambers and the feed and dischargeconduits connected thereto.

still further ob ects will appear in the course of the detaileddescription which will now be given with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which F l is a diagrammatic section through oneconstructive embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows part of the device illustrated in Fig. 1 at a differentphase in the pumping operation Fig. 3 represents, in diagrammaticsection a second form of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a detail of the machine illustrated in Fig. 3 showing the pumpin operation;

Fig. 5 shows a modified form of the elements represented in Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 represents a third embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a main pumpassembly comprising a cylinder 1; a piston 2 fitted with aone way valve3; a piston rod 41 having a rack 5 formed at one end thereof; a pinion 6meshing with rack 5; a feed conduit 7 connected to a reservoir (notshown) and fitted. at its reservoir and pump extremities with valves ofthe type 8 for preventing reflux of liquid (the valve at the reservoirend is, of course, not shown) a discharge conduit 9 communicatingthrough the intermediary of valve 10 with delivery conduit 11; and anair inlet valve 12 mounted in the wall of delivery conduit 11.

This main pump assembly operates in cooperation with an auxiliary pumpassembly consisting of a cylinder and iston 13; a valve 14 controllingan intake conduit 15; a valve 16 controlling a discharge conduit 17connected to the intake side of cylinder 1; a connecting rod 18articulated with a crank mounted on a gear wheel 19; a pinion 2Oarranged to be rotated by a crank 21; a balancing lever or levers 22pivotally mounted on the shaft carrying gear an idling pinion 28journalled on levers 22 and arranged to be constantly in mesh withpinion 20, and intermittently in mesh with gear 6; a chamber 2 1communicating with the discharge side of cylinder 1; a flexible membrane25 dividing chamber 241 into two non-communicating compartments; aspring 26 tending to push the membrane inward; and a rod 26 pivotallyconnected to lever 22 and responsive to movements of membrane 25.

The machine is completed by a float chamber 27 located at the upper endof conduit 9; a float 28 fitted with a needle 29; and an air inlet 30.Valve 10 tends to remain closed under the action of spring 31.

The above described combination of elenents operate in the following way:Assumming the apparatus to be empty, crank 21 is rotated clock-vise sothat pump 1?) draws air out of conduits 15 and 7 and liquid into conduit7. The air aspirated by pump 13 is forced, during the compressionstroke, into conduit 17, thence through valve 3 into conduit 9, whenceit escapes by way of orifice 30. When all of the air has beendischarged, it is replaced by liquid which is pumped from feed conduit 7into cylinder 1, conduit 9 and float chamber 27. Immediately after theliquid level has risen sufliciently to move float 28 into closedposition, pressure is transmitted by the liquid in cylinder 1 andconduit 9 to flexible membrane 25 in chamber 2 1. Membrane 25, under theeflect of the liquid pressure, moves against the action of spring 26,causing lever 22 to rotate on its pivotal axis, thus forcing pinion 28into mesh with pinion 6. The motion of crank 21 is thenceforthcommunicated to piston rod 4; through pinions 20, 2S and 6 (Fig. 2). Itis, of course, to be understood (1) that the maximum instantaneousdischarge capacity of auxiliary pump 13 is less than that of main pump1, (2) and that springs 26 and 31 are so designed relatively to theheight of column 9 i as that membrane 25 is displaced suilicientiy toeffect a clutching action before valve opens.

\Vith the various pinions in the position shown in Fig. 2, liquid ispumped from conduit 7, through valve 3, into conduit 9, thence pastvalve 10, into delivery conduit 11. Valve 12 permits delivery conduit 11to be emptied by gravity, as also any form of flexible hose (not shown)which may be attached to said conduit. The amount of liquid deliveredmay be fixed by calibrating cylinder 1 or by providing stops in cylinder1 hunting the stroke of piston 2. During its discharge stroke piston 2sucks liquid from conduit 7 through valve 8, any deficiency being madeup by the action of auxiliary pump 13.

If, after piston 2 has completed a delivery stroke, it is desired torefill the pump for another delivery operation, it is only necessary torotate crank 21 in the counter-clockwise direction, in which case, pump13, which is actuated through the intermediary of an idling gear or theequivalent (not shown), will cease to feed liquid to cylinder 1, thepressure on membrane will be released and gear 23 will move out of meshwith pinion 6. Piston 2 will then descend by its own weight.

If for any reason, air enters the apparatus through conduit 7 during theupward movement of piston 2, it will be prevented from interfering withthe delivery operation since the liquid being delivered is above piston2 and under pressure, whereas the liquid below piston 2 is underdiminished pressure due to the difference in capacity of pumps 1 and 13.When piston 2 has delivered the measured amount of liquid,counterclockwise movement of rod 21 will disengage pinions 23 and 6,piston 2 will descend by gravity and the air imprisoned under piston 2will escape via valve 3, conduit 9 and orifice 30. hen a new pumpingoperation begins, rotation of crank 21 in the clockwise direction willexpel the air in float chamber 27 in the manner already described.

Referring now to the modification repre sented in Figs. 3 and 4, thereshown a device in which the main and auxiliary pump assemblies arecombined so that the air in the measuring pump is removed by suctionexerted on the discharge side of the main pump piston. The main pumpassembly is substantially the same as that shown in Fig. 1 and need notbe again described. Crank 21 attached to pinion 20, reciprocatesconnecting rod 18 and draws air out of conduits 34 and and out of achamber 33 located above float assembly 27, 28, 29, 30 (similar to theone represented in Fig. 1) into pump chamber 32, whence it is dischargedduring the compression stroke. A chamber 24 containing a flexiblemembrane 25 and a spring 26, communicates with conduit 35. Membrlne 25responds to the reduced pressure created in conduits 341, by the suctionof pump 32 and actuatcs rod 26 to rotate lever 22 about the center ofpinion 20 as an axis so as to move pinion 23 into and out of mesh withpinion 6 in a manner analogous to that described in connection withFigs. 1 and 2. It is well to intercal ite a small chamber containing apair of spring actuated valves 36, 37 between chamber 24 and conduit3 1. Valve 37 controls an orifice of smaller section than thatcontrolled by valve 36, and serves to admit air to pump 32 when orifice30 is closed by its float valve. Means are provided for maintainingvalve 37 open when the main pump begins to deliver liquid, which meanscomprise a rod 38 positioned to be actuated by a pair of stops on rod26, and a bent lever 40 pivotally mounted at 41 and articulating at 39with rod 38, the free end of said lever contacting with the stem ofvalve 37. The various operating elements are so designed that valve 37is pushed inwardly slightly after pinions 23 and 6 move into meshingrelation. T o assure a slight retard, the end of rod 38 may be arrangedto move in an elongated slot in rod 26 (not shown) or between a pair ofstops as shown. This arrangement is designed to avoid continuedoscillation of the membrane when pumping action begins.

The operation of this form of the invention difi'ers only in detailsfrom the one shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Pump 32 first draws all the air outof the measuring pump and then draws liquid into the main pump chambers,conduit 9 and float chamber 27 until orifice 30 is closed. Continuedrotation of crank 21 creates a reduction of pressure on one side ofmembrane 25, thus raising lever 22 and bringing pinions 23 and 6 intomesh. The reversing operations are self-evident.

Fig. 5 shows a modified form of the device illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.Here, the chamber containing valves 36 and 37 is replaced by a two waycook 42 so arranged that, when membrane 25 is in its normal position,conduits 34 and are in con'imunication, and when the valve is in thesecond of its two positions, pump 32 is cut oil from conduit 35 andinstead draws in air through orifice 44 and conduit 34. In this form ofthe device, it is well to place a. valve 43 between conduit 35 and valve12 so as to maintain the reduced pressure in conduit 35 while pump 32 isaspirating air through orifice 44.

The pump represented in Fig. 6 ditl'ers from those already described inproviding means for automatically arresting the auxiliary pump 32 (or,in the case of the device shown in Fig. 1, auxiliary pump 13) as soon aspinions 23 and 6 move into meshing relation. Pump 32 is here driven froma gear 45 having a fixed axis and mounted so as to be barely in meshwith movable gear 23 when the latter begins to move into mesh withpinion 6. Gear 28 will, thus, alternately engage with pinions 6 and 45under the action of membrane 25. The best arrangement of the variousgears for obtaining the result desired is the following: the axes ofpinions 6, 20 and 45 should form a right angle, and the axes of pinions6, 23 and 45 should lie sub stantially in line with one another.

It will be noted that in the devices shown in Figs. 3 to 6, spring 31shown in Fig. l is omitted. This is made possible by placing the seat ofvalve 10 substantially at the level of the liquid in float chamber 27when the float valve is in closed or raised position.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be taken as beinglimited to the particular structures described. Thus, the automaticauxiliary pump-releasing device shown in Fig. 6 may be fitted to otherof the auxiliary pump assemblies; valve 10 represented in Figs. 3 and 6may be replaced by the spring actuated valve shown in Fig. 1; etc.

hat I claim is 1. In a machine of the class described, the combinationof a main pump assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, a -feed conduitfor supplying liquid to the cylinder, and a discharge conduit connectedto the cylinder; an auxiliary pump assembly associated with said mainpump assembly and operable to replace gases contained in the cylinderand in the discharge conduit of said main assembly by liquid ;-meansproviding a float chamber positioned adjacent the upper end of saiddischarge conduit, said float chamber means having an orifice formedtherein, and a float valve controlling said orifice ;-and means operableby the blocking of said orifice to operate the piston of the main pumpassembly.

2. In a machine of the class described the combination of a main pumpassembly comprising. a cylinder, a piston, a piston rod having a rackassociated therewith, a pinion engaging with said rack, a feed conduitfor supplying liquid to the cylinder, and a discharge conduit connectedto said cylinder an auxiliary pump assembly associated with said mainpump assembly and comprising a reciprocating pump, and rotatable meansfor reciprocating said pump ;clutch means interposed between saidrotatable means and the pinion associated with the piston rod of themain pump assembly ;nieans providing a float chamber positioned adjacentthe upper end of the discharge conduit of the main pump assembly, saidfloat chamber means having an opening therein, and a float valveoperable to close said opening ;-and means operable by the closure ofsaid opening to actuate the clutch means so as to transmit power fromthe rotatable means of the auxiliary pump assembly to the rack andpinion of the main pump assembly.

3. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combinationacylinder pump having a measuring piston, feed and discharge conduits forsaid pump, means operable to replace gases contained in said cylinderand conduits with liquid while the piston is at rest, and meansdepending upon variations of pressure created by said first named meansfor actuating said measuring piston after complete filling of saidcylinder pump and conduit with liquid.

l. An apparatus of the class described com prising in combination acylinder having a measuring piston, feed and discharge conduits for saidcylinder, a cylinder pump operable to replace gases contained in saidcylinder and conduits with liquid while the piston is at rest, and meansdepending upon variation in pressure created by said cylinder pump foractuating said measuring piston after complete filling of said cylinderpump and. conduits with the liquid.

5. In an apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, amain pump assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, and feed anddischarge conduits for said cylinder, an auxiliary pump assemblyconnected to said main pump assembly and operable to replace gasescontained in the cylinder and conduits of said main assembly withliquid,means providing a float chamber having a float therein and positionedadjacent the upper end of said discharge conduit, a float valvetocontrol an orifice formed in said chamber means, and means operable bythe blocking of said orifice when a predetermined level of liquidraises-said float to actuate the piston of said main pump assembly.

6. In an apparatus of the class described comprising in combination amain pump assembly comprising a cylinder, a piston, and feed anddischarge conduits for said cylinder, an auxiliary pump assemblyconnected to said main pump assembly and operable to replace gasescontained in the main pump and con duits of said main assembly withliquid, means providing a float chamber having a float and positionedadjacent the upper end of said discharge conduit, 21 float valve tocontrol an orifice formed in said chamber means, a pressure operatedvalve in the discharge conduit of said cylinder, and means oper atcd bythe blocking of said orifice upon the obtaining of a predetermined levelof liquid in said discharge conduit foractuating said piston of the mainpump assembly before said pressure operated valve means .is operated.

7. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination apiston, a piston rod having a rack associated therewith, a pinionengaging with said rack, a feed conduit for supplying liquid to thecyllnder, and a discharge conduit connected to said cylinder; an

auxiliary pump assembly associated with said main pump assembly andcomprising a reciprocating pump, and rotatable means for recipromtmgsaid pump; clutch means in tel-posed between said rotatable means andthe pinion associated with the piston rod of the main pump assembly; apressure operated valve in the discharge conduitof said cylinder, meansproviding a float chamber having I. float and positioned adjacent theupper end of said discharge conduit, :1 float valve controlling anorifice formed insaid cham ber means, and means operated by the closureof said orifice upon obtaining a predetermined liquid level to actuatethe clutch means so that power may be transmitted from the rotatablemeans to the rack of the main pump assembly before said pressureoperating valve mum is operated.

8. An apparatus of the class described comg in combination a liquid pumphaving intake and discharge conduits, an auxiliary pump. means to drivesaid auxiliary pump whereby to bring the liquid to a predetermined levelin said liquid pump and its c011- dnits, and means operated by theliquid when said redetermincd level is reached to couple stid iquid pumpto said driving means and to uncouple said liquid pump therefrom whenthe liquid is below said predetermined level.

9- An apparatus of the class described comin combination a dispensingpump lving intake and discharge conduits, a fillin; pump to fill saiddispensing pump and its conduits to a predetermined level, means todrive said filling pump, float operated means to seal the upper end ofsaid discharge conduit when a predetermined level is attained, andpressure responsive means operated by said liquid after said conduit issealed to Connect said dispensing pump for operation.

10. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, adispensing pump having intake and discharge conduits and in which avalve is mounted permitting the flow of liquid from the intake to thedis charge conduit, a filling pump connected to deliver liquid from saidintake conduit to said pump and through said valve to said dischargeconduit whereby to fill said pump and conduits to a predetermined level,means to drive said filling pump, and means operated by the liquid uponattaining a predetermined level to connect said dispensing pump fordriving.

11. An apparatus as set forth in claim 10, in which the dispensing pumpcomprises a measuring piston in which said valve is located to permitflow of liquid from the intake to the discharge side thereof.

12. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination aliquid dispensing pimp having intake and discharge conduits, a drive forsaid pump, an auxiliary pump to fill said dispensing pump and itsconduits to a predetermined level, said dispensingpump being normallyfree from its driving means, a valve biased to normally close saiddischarge conduit whereby a pres: sure may be maintained therein, andmeans operated by the liquid at a predetcrn'iined level to close saiddischarge conduit whereby such pressure may be attained, and means operated by the liquid while less than such pressure is maintained in saiddischarge conduit to connect said dispensing pump to its drive. wherebysaid dispensing pump may only be operated While said liquid is at saidpredetermined level.

13. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination aliquid dispensing pump, having intake and discharge conduits, anauxiliary pump to fill said dispensing pump and conduits to apredetermined level ith liquid, common driving means for said pumps.said dispensing pump being normally free from said drive, and meansoperated by the presence of the predetermined level of liquid in saiddispensing pump and conduits to connectsaid dispensing pump to saidcommon drive.

14. An apparatus of the class described comprising in combination adispensing pump having intake and discharge conduits and in which avalve is mounted for permitting the flow of liquid from the intake tothe discharge conduit, a filling pump connected to deliver liquid fromsaid. intake conduit to said pump and through said valve to saiddischarge conduit whereby to fill said pump and conduits to a.predetermined level, means to drive said filling pump, a float valveoperated by the liquid upon attaining a predetermined level to seal theupper end of said discharge conduit, means to actuate said dispensingpump, and means responsive to pressure developed in said dischargeconduit after said sealing by said float valve to ell ect the actuationof said actuating means.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RENE POE-TE.

